Endoparasites of exotic snakes (Ophidia)

Exotic reptiles, among them snakes, are a novelty in the world of pets. A total of 28 snakes housed in the City Zoological Garden in Wrocław and 23 snakes from zoological wholesale were examined for the presence of endoparasites. Both parasitological sections of dead reptiles and coprological examination were done. Endoparasites were detected in a total of 13.7 % of snakes, including 21.7 % of those coming from the zoological wholesale and 7.1 % of the zoo-kept snakes. Two groups of protozoa were detected: Choleoeimeria sp. and Ciliata, as well as nematodes: Kalicephalus sp., Dioctowittidae and a pinworm (Oxyurida). The zoo snakes were also found to carry pseudoparasites.